Primosic, Ribolla di Oslavia Riserva, Collio, 2019
Primosic, Ribolla di Oslavia Riserva, Collio, 2019
- 75cl
- 13%
- White Still
- Ribolla Gialla
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2035
Est. delivery in June, 2026
Primosic's Ribolla di Oslavia Riserva stands as one of Friuli's most compelling orange wines, made from indigenous Ribolla Gialla grapes grown on the legendary hillsides of Oslavia. This isn't your grandmother's crisp white wine but something far more ambitious: extended skin contact creates a wine with the grip and structure of a red but the finesse that only comes from centuries of winemaking wisdom in this borderland between Italy and Slovenia.
The 2019 vintage shows the full potential of this ancient variety when treated with patience and respect. Seven years on, the wine has found its stride, offering the textural complexity and mineral backbone that makes Collio one of Italy's most distinctive wine regions. We find this drinks beautifully now through 2035.
At seven years old, this 2019 is entering its prime drinking window, with the primary fruit having integrated beautifully with the structural elements from skin contact. The wine will continue to develop secondary complexity over the next 5-8 years, gaining more honey and dried fruit character whilst maintaining its mineral backbone. The tannins will soften further, though they'll never disappear entirely - that's part of the charm. By 2032-2035, expect a more contemplative wine with greater oxidative notes, though it should retain freshness thanks to Ribolla Gialla's natural acidity and the cooling climate of Collio.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep amber-gold with bronze highlights, showing the characteristic hue of extended skin contact.
NoseQuince and dried pear mingle with chamomile and wild herbs from the Karst plateau. There's a lovely oxidative character that brings thoughts of aged Jura whites, plus a distinctive mineral lift that speaks of ponca soils. Orange peel and a touch of beeswax add complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
PalateThe texture is immediately striking - this has real grip and weight from the skin contact, yet maintains an elegant freshness that keeps you coming back. Flavours of dried stone fruits, wild honey, and Mediterranean herbs are supported by fine but present tannins. The ponca minerality runs like a silver thread through the wine, providing both structure and lift.
FinishLong and saline with persistent herb and mineral notes that echo the limestone-rich soils of Oslavia.
Overall impressionA serious orange wine that showcases both the potential of Ribolla Gialla and the distinctive character of Collio's ponca terroir.
Food Pairings
In Friuli, this style of wine would traditionally accompany the region's distinctive cuisine that blends Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian influences. Think prosciutto di San Daniele with its sweet, delicate cure, or the local frico - a crispy cheese and potato cake that's perfect with structured orange wines. The wine's texture and tannins make it ideal with the region's hearty soups like jota (bean and sauerkraut soup) or brovada (pickled turnips with pork). Local cheeses like Montasio, particularly when aged, create beautiful pairings with the wine's mineral backbone and oxidative character.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 12-14°C to appreciate both the wine's texture and its aromatic complexity. No need to decant, but do open the bottle 30 minutes before serving to allow the wine to breathe and show its full character. Use larger white wine glasses or even light red wine glasses to give the wine room to express its complex aromatics. This wine benefits from air, so don't rush through the bottle.
The Oslavia vineyards sit on the famous ponca soils of Collio, a unique marl and sandstone mixture that creates exceptional drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the vines. These steep, south-facing slopes benefit from both Alpine cooling influences and Mediterranean warmth. The ponca's high mineral content imparts the distinctive saline character that defines the best wines from this area, whilst the elevation and exposure create the ideal conditions for the slow ripening that Ribolla Gialla demands.
Collio DOC straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia, representing one of Europe's most distinctive white wine regions. The appellation mandates specific grape varieties and yields, but more importantly preserves the unique winemaking traditions of this historic area. Collio is particularly renowned for its orange wines made from indigenous varieties like Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Malvasia Istriana, with many producers employing extended skin contact techniques that date back centuries in this region.
2019 in Friuli delivered one of those vintages that reminds you why this corner of northeastern Italy produces some of the most distinctive whites in Europe. The growing season unfolded with textbook timing: a mild spring encouraged steady budbreak, whilst the summer months brought consistent warmth without the punishing heat waves that can flatten aromatics in white varieties. Harvest began in late August for the earlier ripening varieties, with growers able to pick at leisure rather than racing against weather threats.
What emerged from the cellars shows Friuli's whites at their most expressive. The Friulanos have that characteristic almond-skin grip we love, but with unusual freshness for such a warm year. Pinot Grigio reached proper ripeness without losing its mineral spine, whilst the Sauvignon Blancs sing with both varietal clarity and sense of place. These wines hit their stride immediately upon release and are drinking superbly now, though the best examples will reward cellaring until 2027. We find ourselves returning to this vintage again and again for its combination of immediate pleasure and underlying structure.
FAQs
What does this orange wine taste like?
This is textured and mineral-driven, with flavours of quince, dried herbs, and wild honey, supported by fine tannins from extended skin contact. Think of it as having the structure of a light red wine but the finesse of a great white.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve and improve until around 2035. The wine has found its stride after seven years and shows the perfect balance between fruit and structure.
What food pairs well with this style?
Try it with charcuterie, aged cheeses, or dishes with earthy, herbal elements. The wine's texture and tannins make it versatile with both traditional white wine foods and lighter meat dishes.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve slightly warmer than typical white wines, at 12-14°C, and give it 30 minutes to breathe after opening. Use larger wine glasses to appreciate its complex aromatics.
What makes Collio special for orange wines?
The ponca soils of Collio provide exceptional minerality and drainage, whilst the region's winemaking traditions with skin contact date back centuries. This combination of terroir and technique creates some of Italy's most distinctive orange wines.
Is this worth cellaring?
Absolutely - this wine will continue to develop complexity for another 8-10 years, gaining honey and dried fruit character whilst maintaining its mineral backbone and structure.
OUR GROWERS
Primosic
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